Verdict in Zonguldak Social Media Murder Trial: 15 Years in Prison

A verdict has been reached in the trial concerning the fatal stabbing of 19-year-old Celal Can Er during a fight sparked by a social media follow request in Zonguldak. During the hearing held at the Zonguldak 2nd Heavy Penal Court, the judicial panel sentenced the detained defendant Y.E.C. to 15 years in prison for the crime of 'intentional homicide'.

In the incident that took place on August 14 in the Bahçelievler neighborhood of central Zonguldak, 19-year-old Celal Can Er had lost his life. At the verdict hearing held at the Zonguldak 2nd Heavy Penal Court, detained defendant 20-year-old Y.E.C., relatives of the victim Celal Can Er, and lawyers for both parties were present.

Testifying as a witness at the hearing, H.H.A. stated that tension had arisen between the parties due to social media, and realizing that the incident would escalate, he tried to call the police but could not reach them in time. Another witness, P.A.H., stated that while he stepped in to break up the fight, he saw Celal being suddenly stabbed. The Public Prosecutor requested that the defendant be punished, stating that he committed the crime of intentional homicide during the argument that broke out because the defendant sent a follow request to the victim's girlfriend.

Defendant Y.E.C. expressed his remorse in his defense, stating that he experienced fear of death and had no other intention. Announcing its verdict after a brief recess, the court panel sentenced the defendant to 15 years in prison for intentional homicide and ruled for the continuation of his detention. Following the verdict, a scuffle broke out between the parties outside the courthouse, and the tension was calmed by the intervention of police teams.